Velominati Super Prestige: Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian 2014

Every team seems to have included one or two riders fresh off the Tour. One would either feel ruined or unbeatable a week after that slug fest, more than likely, ruined. I imagine there are a few riders dodging calls from their directors this week.

Tony Gallopin beat Malmerde in last year’s edition and the Spaniard will be hot to win something big after being relegated to fourth place in the Tour. Gallopin’s stock has gone way up, having just worn the yellow jersey, so if the legs allow he should have some confidence. Others will be tuning up for the Vuelta but it is hard to imagine the win not coming from a recent Tour finisher with the mint legs on. No amount of training will duplicate three weeks of pain bank deposits from that Tour. That being said, I dare Frandy to win it. Why do I have such a bad attitude about him? Move on Gianni, move on.

This is also when contracts are negotiated so it would be quite timely to impress everyone with a giant one-day race win.

Here is a start list for this race and a prize list the the overall 2014 VSP. The overall VSP points earned are not high this year; a strong last third of the season could win the overall. This race is on a Saturday so be wary, make picks by Friday.

First place overall wins a Veloforma Strada iR Velominati Edition frame in addition to the customary VSP winner’s VVorkshop Apron

Second place overall wins a set of hand built CR Wheelworks Arenberg wheelset in a custom Velominati paint scheme laced to orange Chris King hubs. (CR Wheelworks is Café Roubaix’s new wheel goods brand.)

Third place overall wins a full Velominati V-Kit with accompanying custom orange Bont Vaypor+ road shoes. Yes, we said orange.

Usual worthless picks. I’m hopng Phil Gil and Danny Boy have not been couch surfing over the past month or so and are fresh and ready to go. Malmerde usually has form and will be wanting to win after his late Tour drop off the podium. Rodriguez and Sagan will be trying had for leaving the Tour empty-handed. If Vos was riding, I’d put her in.

UUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGHHHHHH. This race is tailor-made for two riders, Dan Martin and Peter Sagan. Which mean’s it isn’t tailor-made, exactly but close enough. We’re not talking bespoke, FFS.

So…………Pedro is tired from a Tour in which he overplayed his cards any time he had a real chance and underplayed them when he could have been an opportunist. Dan fell off when he was about to repeat the biggest win of his career and hasn’t been seen since.

I knew there was a reason I didn’t pick Gilbert or Sagan (that’s a surprise, when was the last time Sagan didn’t finish or withdrew?) to finish in the top five. Gilbert probably withdrew cause he had a chest infection last week and couldn’t train.

For 2015, could someone please teach Purito to TT and how to handle a sprint. You can’t lead out like that and hope to hold off the guy on your wheel. The only reason he didn’t finish off the podium was because Nieves was cooked and/or had the decency to acknowledge JRod had done the lion’s share of the work. I love watching this guy ride, but is can’t help thinking I’ve got more tactical nous than him…

Holy shit – I made the podium! Perhaps I need to say “Oh, fuck it” and just enter random names more often. It certainly never works out this well for me when I actually put some thought into it. Celebratory beer tonight!

Yates Boys. They are going to be stars, I’ve just submitted their Australian Residency applications for them.

None of us like Valverde much, but shit he knows how to win a race. That was a masterclass in pacing himself on that last climb and putting in the killer blow. Purito must spit chips when he sees him on his wheel.

Yates Boys. They are going to be stars, I’ve just submitted their Australian Residency applications for them.

None of us like Valverde much, but shit he knows how to win a race. That was a masterclass in pacing himself on that last climb and putting in the killer blow. Purito must spit chips when he sees him on his wheel.

How is the Yates that crashed, full gas into the armco? Speaking of which the Giant rider who went through the barriers in the sprint in Poland?